Islamabad: The federal capital Islamabad has reported more than 200 cases of coronavirus in a period 24 hours - the highest number since June this year.
On Saturday, Islamabad reported 224 and on Sunday 154 confirmed cases of coronavirus prompting the district administration and the health teams to remind the citizens Section 144 (for emergency measures and snap arrest in case of violations) was imposed in Islamabad according to which those found violating would be fined as well as jailed.
The total number of coronavirus infections in the federal capital is close to 20,000 (19,970) and if the upward trend continues it could pass 30,000 in this month.
Wearing masks mandatory
The National Command & Operation Control (NCOC) had made wearing of masks mandatory inside offices, restaurants, transports and hospitals, etc. According to the NCOC, the violators will have to pay a maximum of Rs35,000 (Dh 800) starting from Rs6,000 (Dh 137) along with a 6-month jail term.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat in a social media post also conveyed that the district teams could raid enclosed places like offices, public transports, hospitals and restaurants to see whether the public was following SOPs particularly wearing masks.
“Section 144 on masks is now applicable to enclosed public spaces (offices, public transport, hospitals, restaurants, shops etc). It is not applicable inside houses,cars,open areas,parks. However it is advised to practice extreme vigilance as covid is on the rise in Islamabad,” said the DC.
Active cases on the rise
Pakistan on Sunday reported an overall 333,970 confirmed cases of coronavirus, 977 in last 24 hours, and 6,823 deaths (17 in one day).
The number of active cases has also gone up from 11,000 to 12,592 which have raised concerns of the country’s health authorities.
The NCOC has also banned all types of commercial activities after 10 p.m., however, essential services like pharmacy, patients for medical aid, rationing, drinking water supplies and emergency services are exempted from this order.
KP doctors devastated by colleague’s death
Meanwhile, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) another doctor succumbed to the coronavirus in Peshawar on Saturday.
Dr Sultan Zeb Associate Dean at the Khyber College of Dentistry was diagnosed with the coronavirus and undergoing treatment at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC).
In a statement, the Provincial Doctors Association (PDA) said Dr Zeb’s contributions to the field of medicine would be remembered.
“So far, 20 doctors in the province have lost their lives due to the virus,” the statement further said adding the KP government has not yet released the Shuhada (Martyrs) Package for healthcare workers who have succumbed to the virus. The provincial government is yet to provide risk allowance for medical practitioners, the PDA said.
